Dated : 18 July 2020
Topic Covered :
1. Reformed Multilateralism
2. UN blacklists Pak. Taliban leader Noor Wali Mehsud
3. Hong Kong demands Taiwan officials sign ‘one China’ document
4. India to create its first overseas oil stockpile in US
REFORMED MULTILATERALISM
Why in news?
At UN meet, Modi calls for ‘reformed multilateralism’
Highlights:
1. Calling on members of the United Nations to pledge for reform within the world body, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the multilateral system needed to more representative, and India believed that “the path to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity” was through multilateralism.
2. He was speaking at a high-level dialogue of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on “Multilateralism after COVID-19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary?”
3. Only reformed multilateralism with a reformed United Nations at its centre can meet the aspirations of humanity.
4. The United Nations was originally born from the furies of the Second World War. Today, the fury of the pandemic provides the context for its rebirth and reform. Let us not lose this chance.
Source : Hindu ( Page 9, 18 Jul. 20 )
UN BLACKLISTS PAK. TALIBAN LEADER NOOR WALI MEHSUD
Why in news?
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group’s leader Noor Wali Mehsud has been designated as a global terrorist by the UN for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaeda.
Highlights:
1. The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee added Mehsud, 42, to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions List on Thursday, subjecting the Pakistani national to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
2. In June 2018, Mehsud was named the leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, following the death of former TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah. The TTP was blacklisted by the UN on July 29, 2011 for its association with al-Qaeda.
3. Under Noor Wali’s leadership, TTP has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly terrorist attacks across Pakistan, including an attack targeting Pakistani security forces in North Waziristan in July 2019 and a bomb attack against Pakistani soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in August 2019, the Sanctions Committee said.
Source : Hindu ( Page 14, 18 Jul. 20)
HONG KONG DEMANDS TAIWAN OFFICIALS SIGN ‘ONE CHINA’ DOCUMENT
Why in news?
Taiwanese officials in Hong Kong have been told their visas will not be renewed unless they sign a document supporting Beijing’s claim to Taiwan under its “one China” policy.
Highlights:
1. The move comes after Taipei criticised a new security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing, and opened an office in Taipei this month to help people who may want to leave the Asian financial centre.
2. Several Taiwanese officials at its de facto Hong Kong consulate, who were due to renew their visas, have been asked by the city’s government to sign the document.
3. The official said the move was unprecedented and presented an “unnecessary political obstacle” for Taipei-Hong Kong ties.
4. Taiwan’s China policymaking Mainland Affairs Council urged Hong Kong to return to “existing consensus” to maintain normal exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Source : Hindu ( Page 14, 18 Jul. 20)
INDIA TO CREATE ITS FIRST OVERSEAS OIL STOCKPILE IN US
Why in news?
India is moving to store oil in the US, the first time world’s third-largest oil guzzler is creating an emergency reserve abroad to take advantage of low prices and guard against possible supply disruptions.
Highlights:
1. “We have signed a MoU to begin co-operation on strategic petroleum reserves. We are also in an advanced stage of discussion for storing crude oil in US strategic petroleum reserve to increase India’s strategic oil stockpile,” oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
2. The move comes amid India’s deadly border standoff with China in Ladakh and signals New Delhi and Washington deepening their strategic bonding beyond defence.
3. The US has emerged as India’s sixth-largest oil supplier since the first US crude shipment reached Paradip in Odisha in October 2017.
4. The two sides also signed a slew of MoUs ranging from emerging fuels such as hydrogen as well as energy efficiency and smart grid.
Source : TOI
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